How Frozen Food is Heating Up Cold Chain Logistics
The cold chain was greatly affected by the pandemic like most aspects of the supply chain. With the need for rapid dissemination of vaccines, the cold chain experienced a drastic increase. Even now, as vaccine urgency trends decline, the cold chain continues to boom. One contributor to cold chain demand is the growth of the frozen food industry.
The Rise of Frozen Food
Despite frozen food sales taking a big dip in the late 2000s and early 2010s, this industry is bouncing back stronger than ever. In recent years, the busy lifestyles of people across the world have contributed to the demand for convenient and ready-to-eat meals. In addition to a growing demand for organic fruits and vegetables, the frozen food market is quickly re-emerging as a go-to option for consumers and is set to grow from $290 billion in 2021 to over $500 billion globally by 2030. Many experts suggest demand will continue to rise as more people decide to cook at home. This cultural shift has been influenced by social media and the level of access it grants to easy-to-make, healthy recipes.
The Impact on Cold Chain Printer Operations
The higher demand for frozen food will translate two-fold for cold chain manufacturers and their printing operations. First, it will be more important than ever for labels to read accurately. With more and more products being shipped and received, a smaller margin for error is necessary for a smooth-running supply chain. Suppliers are continually at risk of chargeback fines from retailers for barcodes that are unreadable or contain errors. Products will require clear and crisp labeling that can withstand the longer supply chain journey to remain competitive.
With the growing demand for accurate and reliable printers, so will the demand for labels and supplies that can go the extra mile in cold chain operations. Labels printed for frozen food must be done while the food is already frozen. Meaning the thermal printer must be able to function at a high level in cold temperatures. Another key consideration is the type of label material used in cold chain applications, specifically adhesives. Labels must withstand extremely low temperatures without losing their ability to stay affixed to goods while in transit throughout the cold chain.
Our Cold Chain Solutions
We offer affordable solutions that are specifically developed for mission-critical applications where speed and reliability are essential including cold chain logistics.
Our RFID printers are capable of printing and encoding a variety of labels and tags to meet the demands of unique identification applications. RFID printers have traditionally been slower than standard barcode label printers, and the slower speeds can negatively impact other business operations. Our RFID-enabled printers address this issue through a unique encode during print firmware that delivers industry-leading encoding speeds and ensures minimal impact on your other operations while providing all the advancements and benefits of RFID labeling.
Our high-performance T8000 6-inch industrial printer and our award-winning T6000e ODV-2D printers are ideal solutions for highly-regulated organizations in the cold chain industry with the ability to print and verify labels down to 23°F (-5°C). The ODV-2D barcode verification systems boost your productivity by inspecting and grading the quality of printed barcodes in a single pass. It automatically backs up and overstrikes bad labels without operator intervention, keeping your enterprise moving efficiently.
In addition, our labeling experts at TSC Printronix Auto ID Genuine Supplies have freezer-grade labels and adhesives specifically designed to work with your printers in the coldest temperatures. It makes a world of difference what material a label is made of especially when being exposed to cold storage conditions. The physical label placed on goods in extremely low temperatures must be able to go the distance.
To learn more about our cold chain solutions, contact your local sales representative or click here to get started today.
